Eaton has been chosen to provide its ground-breaking ELocker differential system for installation on a brand-new plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) SUV.
The new model uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels and an optional internal combustion engine (ICE) to power the front wheels, in contrast to standard plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which power all of the wheels with an ICE and an electric motor.
“The ELocker had to be designed to be compatible with fluid in an electric drive, which is lighter and has a lower viscosity than axle and transmission oils,” said Mark Kramer, business unit director, ePowertrain, Eaton Mobility Group. “To meet this challenge, Eaton engineers made adjustments to traditional ELocker designs by utilizing premium designs, materials, and coatings.”
The Eaton ELocker differential is an electronic locking differential designed for drivers who want full control and traction on demand. It features net-forged gears offering the strength and durability needed for off-road and recreational driving, while its electronic controls provide driver-selectable operation and added reliability over similar air-controlled products. By simply pressing a dash switch, the differential sends all available torque equally to the left and right wheels, providing maximum traction to overcome challenging terrain.